Image-receiving element for diffusion transfer photographic and photothermographic film products

Abstract

An image-receiving element for use in photographic and photothermographic diffusion transfer film units of the type wherein the image-receiving element is designed to be removed or "peeled-apart" from a photosensitive element following exposure and processing. The present image-receiving element comprises in sequence, a support, an image-receiving layer, and a strip-coat layer. The strip-coat layer serves to facilitate separation of the image-receiving layer from a photosensitive element after processing. The strip-coat layer comprises a copolymer including: 1) at least about 50% by weight of monomer units, the same or different, derived from an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or salt thereof, 2) at least about 15% by weight of monomer units of vinyl pyrrolidone, and 3) at least about 5% by weight of monomer units, the same or different, represented by the formula: <IMAGE> wherein R1 of each monomer unit is independently selected from: hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, cyano, and halogen; X of each monomer unit is independently selected from -NH- or -O-; and R2 of each monomer unit is independently selected from a hydroxy substituted alkyl group.

We claim: 
     
       1. An image-receiving element for use in a photographic or photothermographic diffusion transfer process comprising in sequence: a support;   an image-receiving layer; and   a strip-coat layer overlying said image-receiving layer, said strip-coat layer comprising a copolymer including: 1) at least about 50% by weight of monomer units, the same or different, derived from an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or salt thereof, 2) at least about 15% by weight of monomer units of vinyl pyrrolidone, and 3) at least about 5% by weight of monomer units, the same or different, represented by the formula: ##STR9##  wherein R 1  of each monomer unit is independently selected from: hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, cyano, and halogen; X of each monomer unit is independently selected from --NH-- or --O--; and R 2  of each monomer unit is independently selected from a hydroxy substituted alkyl group.   
     
     
       2. An image-receiving element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said monomer units derived from an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or salt thereof are represented by the formula: ##STR10## wherein R 3  of each monomer unit is independently selected from: hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, cyano, and halogen. 
     
     
       3. An image-receiving element as set forth in claim 2 wherein R 3  is hydrogen or methyl. 
     
     
       4. An image-receiving element as set forth in claim 1 wherein R 2  is a hydroxy substituted alkyl group having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. 
     
     
       5. An image-receiving element as set forth in claim 1 wherein R 1  is hydrogen or methyl; X is --O--, and R 2  is a hydroxy-substituted alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. 
     
     
       6. An image-receiving element as set forth in claim 3 wherein said copolymer comprises monomer units of acrylic acid, vinyl pyrrolidone, and hydroxypropylmethacrylate. 
     
     
       7. An image-receiving element as set forth in claim 1 wherein said strip-coat further includes at least one mannose gum material. 
     
     
       8. An image-receiving element as set forth in claim 7 wherein said mannose gum material includes carboxymethyl guar. 
     
     
       9. An image-receiving element as set forth in claim 8 wherein said copolymer comprises monomer units of acrylic acid, vinyl pyrrolidone, and hydroxypropylmethacrylate. 
     
     
       10. A diffusion transfer film unit adapted for use in photographic and photothermographic processes, said film unit comprising: a photosensitive element comprising a support carrying at least one silver halide emulsion;   an image-receiving element adapted to be separated from said photosensitive element following photoexposure and processing, said image-receiving element comprising in sequence: a support, an image-receiving layer, and a strip-coat layer overlying said image-receiving layer, said strip-coat layer comprising a copolymer including: 1) at least about 50% by weight of monomer units, the same or different, derived from an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or salt thereof, 2) at least about 15% by weight of monomer units of vinyl pyrrolidone, and 3) at least about 5% by weight of monomer units, the same or different, represented by the formula: ##STR11##  wherein R 1  of each monomer unit is independently selected from: hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, cyano, and halogen; X of each monomer unit is independently selected from --NH-- or --O--; and R 2  of each monomer unit is independently selected from a hydroxy substituted alkyl group.   
     
     
       11. A film unit as set forth in claim 10 wherein said monomer units derived from an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or salt thereof are represented by the formula: ##STR12## wherein R 3  of each monomer unit is independently selected from: hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl having 1-4 carbon atoms, cyano, and halogen. 
     
     
       12. A film unit as set forth in claim 11 wherein R 3  is hydrogen or methyl. 
     
     
       13. A film unit as set forth in claim 10 wherein R 2  is a hydroxy-substituted alkyl group having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. 
     
     
       14. A film unit as set forth in claim 13 wherein R 1  is hydrogen or methyl; X is --O--, and R 2  is a hydroxy-substituted alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. 
     
     
       15. A film unit as set forth in claim 14 wherein said copolymer comprises monomer units of acrylic acid, vinyl pyrrolidone, and hydroxypropyl methacrylate. 
     
     
       16. A film unit as set forth in claim 10 wherein said strip-coat layer includes at least one mannose gum material. 
     
     
       17. A film unit as set forth in claim 16 wherein said mannose gum material includes carboxymethyl guar. 
     
     
       18. A film unit as set forth in claim 17 wherein said copolymer comprises monomer units of acrylic acid, vinyl pyrrolidone, and hydroxy propyl methacrylate.